How to: Sprouts

08May

I have always loved sprouts and miss it terribly when I am denied them. Recently, I discovered that anyone can grow their own healthy nutritious sprouts, and its as easy as 1, 2 3!

This gorgeous salad is made of home-grown lettuce, tomatoes and sprouts. Locally grown olives, goats milk feta compliment a low-carbon footprint meal. The carrots and beets are a mystery, but shouldnt come from too far away. All in all, a satisfying lunch!

First, get yourself a jar or a sprouting container. A mason jar with some fine mesh wire (such as fly wire) over the top works, but there are commercially produced jars that are designed specifically for the job and are just as cheap. Mine set me back about $12.

This fancy three-tiered sprouting tray allows you to grow three types of sprouts in isolation. It is very easy to look after and keep clean.

Get yourself some seeds to sprout. You would be surprised what you can sprout – seeds, beans and grains are all suitable. The sprouts in my salad above are a mixture of fenugreek, lentil, mung bean, adzuki beans and alfalfa sprouts. Check your local garden centre or health food store for a wide selection. I highly recommend health food stores for a great source of advice to help you get started!

Go gentle to start with and only do 1 tablespoon of seeds at a time. Soak your seeds in water for the first 12 hours. I usually do mine over night. Keep them well-drained, and rinse them morning and night.

This jar is specifically designed for sprouting. The lid has a neat little angle that allows you to prop the jar for easy drainage. It cost about $12 from a health food store, and is ample for feeding a family of 3 adults.

Different seeds sprouts at different intervals. Try to mix sprouts on similar sprouting rotations. Generally, most sprout will be ready in 3 – 7 days. See a basic sprouting time frame chart here.

Place your sprouts on a window sill or bench top that gets some good natural light.

A room with a view: My sourdough starter, sprouts and indoor herbs sit on a south-facing window sill. In the southern hemisphere, this position gets limited early morning direct sunlight, reducing the risk of over activation, drying out or scorching.